The UnKnot Conference, July 15-17

This is the first undergraduate knot theory conference aimed at undergraduate faculty and students who are interested in knot theory and research on knot theory.  The conference will start at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday (7/15) and end around 5:00 p.m. on Friday (7/18).  Housing for the conference will be available Tuesday evening.

In addition to invited talks, we hope to have lots of 15 minute talks by students and faculty, either of a research or expository nature. We will begin accepting abstract submissions from this site in the near future.  In addition to submitted talks and invited talks about current research, there will be a panel discussion on open problems that are approachable by undergraduates. Speakers include

Ohio MAA Short Course, July 13-14

This workshop, conducted by Colin Adams of Williams College, is sponsored by the Ohio MAA Short Course Series.  It is aimed at undergraduate teachers who are interested in knowing more about knot theory and potential areas for research with students in knot theory. Knot theory is a wonderful topic for exciting students about mathematics. It is visual and hands on. Students can begin working on problems the first day with their shoelaces. Knot theory is also an incredibly active field. There is a tremendous amount of work going on currently, and one can easily state open problems. It also has important applications to chemistry, biochemistry and physics. In recent years, undergraduates have been doing original and interesting research in knot theory.

This short course will run from noon on July 13 until 5 pm on July 14. It is a (stand alone) workshop that precedes and can be used as preparation for the UnKnot Conference.

1. Participants will be prepared to participate in the UnKnot Conference. Background will be provided so that the talks will be understandable and approachable.

2. Participants will be able to direct student research in knot theory. The short course and the conference will provide numerous avenues for further research.

3.   Participants will be able to add knot theory topics to courses they teach.

4.   Participants will be able to give expository talks about this fascinating field. .

Colin Adams is the Thomas T. Read Professor of Mathematics at Williams College. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1983.  He is particularly interested in the mathematical theory of knots and their applications. He is the author of "The Knot Book", an elementary introduction to the mathematical theory of knots, co-author of the humorous supplements "How to Ace Calculus: The Streetwise Guide", and "How to Ace the Rest of Calculus: the Streetwise Guide", author of "Why Knot?", the mathematical comic book with attached toy and co-author of "Introduction to Topology: Pure and Applied". Having written a variety of research articles on knot theory and hyperbolic 3-manifolds, his research is supported by the National Science Foundation. He has worked with over 90 students on research. He is a recipient of the National Distinguished Teaching Award from the Mathematical Association of America(MAA) in 1998, an MAA Polya Lecturer for 1998-2000, a Sigma Xi Distinguished Lecturer for 2000-2002, and the recipient of the Robert Foster Cherry Teaching Award in 2003.

Registration Page

 To register for the conference, please contact Lew Ludwig at ludwigl @ denison dot edu

Conference fee:

$100 for faculty

$20 for graduate students

fee waived for undergraduate students

Workshop:

$150, which includes lunch and dinner on Monday, three meals on Tuesday, and registration for the UnKnot Conference. 

Abstract Submission for Contributed Talks

Talk submission is now closed. 

For advice on how to give a good talk, please see Technically Speaking.

Housing

Air-conditioned suite style housing will be available for $25 per night.  One suite has 4 single bedrooms w/individual locks, two bathrooms, full kitchen (fridge, microwave, range, oven) living & dining room area. Linens are included.  Housing will be available by Monday afternoon for workshop attendees and by Tuesday afternoon for conference attendees.

Other local options include The Buxton Inn, The Granville Inn or The Courtyard by Marriott.

Getting to Denison

Denison University is located 27 miles east of Columbus, Ohio.  It is easily accessible by car or Port Columbus International Airport (CMH) which is 30 minutes away.  A shuttle to and from the airport is available: $25 one-way or $40 round-trip.  Please click here for directions to Denison.

NSF Travel Support

Through a generous NSF grant, we have funding to help offset the cost of travel to the conference for students as well as a limited number of faculty members.  To request travel funds, please contact Lew Ludwig (ludwigl at denison dot edu) with the amount requested.  While we cannot guarantee funding for every request, we will make every effort to fund as many people as possible.